Rumour Has It: Solskjaer retains Man Utd's backing, PSG eye swap deal with Barca

By Sports Desk October 18, 2021

Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer running out of time at Old Trafford?

Manchester United are already five points off the pace in the Premier League and pressure is mounting.

United, though, are believed to be firmly in favour of sticking with their manager.

 

TOP STORY – SOLSKJAER WANTED AT THE WHEEL

Manchester United are still backing under-fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

United slumped to a 4-2 Premier League defeat to Leicester City at the weekend, which has left the Red Devils with just two wins from their past seven games across all competitions.

As pressure mounts on Solskjaer, United still reportedly have faith in the Norwegian amid links with the likes of Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane and Erik ten Hag.

 

ROUND-UP

- Calciomercato reports Serie A champions Inter are ready to battle Arsenal for Madrid forward Luka Jovic. The Serbia international has struggled for form and fitness in the Spanish capital.

PSG want to swap Mauro Icardi for Barcelona's Sergio Aguero, claims El Nacional. The reports says Lionel Messi wants to reunite with countryman Aguero, who left Manchester City for Barca, only for Messi to join PSG.

- Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni, Borussia Dortmund's Axel Witsel, Denis Zakaria of Borussia Monchengladbach and Ajax's Ryan Gravenberch are among Juventus' transfer targets as they look to add options in midfield, per Tuttosport. Tchouameni has also been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City, while Roma have been eyeing Zakaria.

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  • Inzaghi urges Nerazzurri improvements ahead of Arsenal, Napoli clashes Inzaghi urges Nerazzurri improvements ahead of Arsenal, Napoli clashes

    Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged his side need to be more ruthless in front of goal following their Serie A win over Venezia, with matches against Arsenal and Napoli coming up.

    Lautaro Martinez's first home goal in league action since February handed the Nerazzurri a hard-fought 1-0 win at San Siro, though they missed several chances to make their victory more comfortable.

    Inzaghi's team racked up 20 shots worth 2.41 expected goals (xG) to Venezia's seven attempts and 1.07 xG during Sunday's game.

    They have now scored in each of their 28 league games at San Siro after failing to net in three in a row between March and April 2023, but Inzaghi knows they must take their chances when they face Arsenal and Napoli this week.

    "We should’ve been more clinical, but to be honest, I congratulated the team because the first half was excellent even if we wasted big opportunities," he told DAZN.

    "Once we broke the deadlock, the big regret is that we didn’t kill off the game and when it is in the balance, anything can still happen."

    Arsenal visit San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday, before Napoli – who are currently one point clear at the top of Serie A – make the trip on Sunday.

    "In two days we are up against one of the best teams in Europe with huge quality, so clearly my focus right now is on Arsenal," Inzaghi said.

    The 48-year-old expressed concern about the challenging schedule ahead but felt relieved after seeing key players return.

    "This is our fifth game in two weeks, there are another two to come against Arsenal and Napoli, but we’ve got Hakan Calhanoglu back and Francesco Acerbi will be available on Wednesday too," he said.

    "Carlos Augusto is the only one still out and as a coach I will need everyone." 

  • Harbour View snap three-match losing streak with commanding 3-1 victory over Racing United Harbour View snap three-match losing streak with commanding 3-1 victory over Racing United

    Harbour View FC registered their third win of the season and, in the process, snapped a three-match losing streak in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), as they bettered Racing United 3-1 in a lopsided encounter at Stadium East on Sunday.

    Anchored by a dynamic brace from veteran striker Andre Fagan (2nd and 18th) and a composed 90+6 penalty finish from Rohan Brown, Harbour View dictated the pace of the game, with a display of their offensive might from start to finish.

    Racing United’s consolation was courtesy of Casseam Priestley’s 71st-minute own-goal.

    With the win, Harbour View jumped to seventh on 10 points, while Racing United remain 13th on five points.

    Winning coach Jason Henry praised his team’s overall performance.

    “We wanted to dominate possession because once you have the ball, you can’t get hurt, so once you can keep the ball, that’s good. I just want to thank the guys for this win. We have been creating a lot of chances all season, so it is very pleasing to score three goals and come out with three points,” Henry said in a post-game interview.

    It was a brisk start by Harbour View as Fagan opened the scoring when Omar Thompson’s long pass from the back sent him on his way to finish over the head of the advancing Caryle Holmes in goal for Racing United.

    That goal set the tone for the game as Harbour View asserted dominance with controlled passing and relentless forward pressure, which showcased the experience and finesse that have come to define the "Stars of the East."

    They doubled the lead inside 20 minutes when Fagan met Romario Gibbs’ cross deep in the 18-yard box and easily finished beyond Holmes at his near post.

    Fagan should have completed his hat-trick in the 35th as he controlled Matthew Coke’s cross and had space and time to finish, but was hesitant in pulling the trigger and the chance went abegging.

    Three minutes later, Gibbs got in behind defenders but his initial effort was blocked by Holmes, while the follow-up shot went wide of the left upright as Harbour View remained 2-0 up at halftime.

    Racing United came alive in the second half and looked a more determined and organized side. Their renewed focus led to a good passage of play, from which they went close in the 69th when Romario Palma spilled the ball from a corner kick but Priestley was on hand to mop up the mishap.

    However, Priestley went from hero to culprit when he miscued a clearance from Tyrone Mullings’ cross, which resulted in an own-goal as Racing United were rewarded for applying pressure.

    However, that was all they would get as Harbour View once again went on the charge and inevitably restored their two-goal cushion in time added when Brown fired home from the 12-yard spot after Diego McKenzie was taken out by Holmes in the danger area.

    Racing United’s assistant coach Donovan Lofters rued his team’s lack of communication and organisation, particularly in the first half.

    “We were more organised in the second half, and we got one back. We were looking for the equalizer, but it just didn’t happen. So a lack of organization and communication was our downfall. We were too emotional in the first half, but we calmed them down at the break and we came out better in the second half but another lapse in concentration cost us when we were seeking the equaliser,” Lofters said.

    Sunday’s results

    Dunbeholden FC 2, Chapelton Maroons 0

    Portmore United 4, Molynes United 0

    Humble Lion 1, Arnett Gardens 2

    Harbour View 3, Racing United 1

    Tivoli Gardens 1, Cavalier FC 1

  • Simeone lauds son Giuliano's 'growth' after netting first Atletico goal Simeone lauds son Giuliano's 'growth' after netting first Atletico goal

    Diego Simeone lauded his son Giuliano after his first LaLiga goal helped Atletico Madrid on their way to a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas on Sunday. 

    The 21-year-old latched on to Nahuel Molina's pass before firing the ball beyond Jasper Cillessen, before Alexander Sorloth sealed the win seven minutes from time. 

    Atletico's victory moved them up to third in the table, a point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand after their game with Valencia was postponed. 

    But the day belonged to Simeone, who followed in his father's footsteps with his first goal for the club in only his eighth match in the Spanish top-flight. 

    The strike came almost 20 years after his father and manager, Diego, scored his last goal for the club against Real Madrid. 

    Though Simeone was thrilled by his son's achievement, he was keen to focus on the importance of the victory that saw them return to winning ways in the league. 

    "He's working well, he's training well... it's important for his growth. As long as there is humility, the heart always responds," Simeone said.

    "We are happy, we needed a match that would give us a good feeling. We were able to take the game where we wanted and we were able to win an important match."

    Simeone, however, said he did not see his son any differently from other players in his squad, who started only his second league game this season on Sunday.

    "He did what he had to do, that's why he is at Atlético. He has a responsibility that has no name. They are footballers.

    "Those who run play and those who run less, play less," he told a press conference.

    "The club didn't spend money to buy a son on. He is a boy who was in the youth academy... we believe he can help.

    "He will have good games and bad games, but for sure he has what it takes."

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